Lose weight now: 22 best diet tips

File, Google Image08.02.2012

Take a look at our 22 tips for better health.

File
/ Google Image

Start your day with a meal: There’s a reason why breakfast is called the most important meal of the day. Skipping a morning meal can leave you hungry later, leading to too much nibbling and binge eating at lunch and dinner. In a rush? Try a quick-and-easy choice such as a bowl of high-fiber cereal, low-fat milk, and some fruit.Photos.com
/ canada.com

Stick to water, calorie-free beverages: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated and avoid mistaking thirst for hunger. Not a fan of plain H20? Try herbal teas such as green tea iced or hot.Tyler Anderson/National Post
/ National Post

Cleanse your cupboards: Purge your pantry of fatty foods such as chips and cookies. When these diet-demolishing foods are out of the house – your less likely to eat the, and more likely to reach for something healthy.Bruce Edwards
/ Edmonton Journal

Sleep, sleep, sleep: Getting enough Z’s is necessary for good health – and weight loss. Sleep deprivation can cause your body to overproduce the appetite-stimulating hormone ghrelin while it under-produces the hormone leptin, which tells you when you're full. This hormone imbalance can lead to unnecessary snacking and overeating.
/ Screengrab

Indulge in your favorite foods: Cutting out your favourite foods entirely when you’re on a diet is a sure way to fail. Instead, opt for single portions of your favorite treats such as one cookie instead of a box, and a small ice cream cone instead of a carton.File
/ Google Image

Snack wisely at night: Are you an evening snacker? If so, limit your evening munchies to 100-calories or less.Screengrab
/ GI

Keep healthy foods on hand: Pre-packing healthy snacks such as vegetables into single-serving containers and having pre-portioned proteins such as chicken breast make choosing a healthy snack or meal easy.Screengrab
/ GI

Order children's portions at restaurants: Eating out can be present a big roadblock for dieters. Restaurant portions are notoriously oversized, and are often packed with hidden fats. Set yourself up for diet success by ordering your meal from the children’s menu. At a restaurant that won’t allow it? Ask for only half of your dinner to be plated and the rest to be packed in a to-go box – right when you order – that way you won’t be tempted to eat the entire portion.Screengrab
/ GI

Pack a punch of protein at every meal: Protein helps you feel fuller for longer, and is often more satisfying than fat or carbs. Healthy proteins such as lean meat, eggs, yogurt, beans and fish are all great options to incorporate into your meals and snacks.Google Images
/ Google Images

Up your fiber: Fiber helps with digestion, prevents constipation, reduces bloating and lowers cholesterol -- and can lead to weight loss. Many people get only half the fiber their body needs - most women should get about 25 grams daily, while men need about 38 grams. Oatmeal, beans, whole grain foods and a variety of fruits and vegetables are great sources of fiber.Digital Vision
/ Thinkstock

Sober up: Keep your cocktail intake to one per week. Alcohol contains empty calories: a five-ounce glass of wine has 125, a bottle of beer about 153, and it’s hidden calories such as these that can wreak havoc on your dieting.Vancouver Sun
/ Handout

Swap bread for veggies – Simply cutting back on carbs, and increasing your intake of veggies can help you lose up to a dress size in one year! "You can save from 100-200 calories if you reduce the portion of starch on your plate and increase the amount of vegetables," Cynthia Sass, RD, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association said.Handout
/ Files

Increase your colour: Diets shouldn’t be all about small portions of boring food, create colourful plates full of fruits and vegetables. Not only will you be surprised by how much your allowed to eat, these nutrient-rich foods are also high in fiber and water, which will help you feel more full.Video image
/ Empowered Health

Chew sugarless gum: Chewing a piece of sugar-free gum when you’re craving something sweet can cut back your calorie intake – and leave you feeling less guilty later on. But, beware some ‘sugar alcohols’ are indigestible and can lead to bloating, gas and even diarrhea.File
/ Google Images

Balance your time on the scale: Keeping an eye on your weight is an important component to weight loss - but you don’t need to jump on one every day. Many experts suggest weighing yourself only once a week, so you're not derailed by daily fluctuations. For the best results: Weigh yourself at the same time of day, on the same day of the week, on the same scale, and in the same clothes – for the most accurate reading.Photos.com
/ canada.com

Be realistic: Weight loss is an uphill, time-consuming battle … but it’s worth it. Try setting an attainable goal such as 1-2 pounds per week.L.A. Times
/ The Hartford Courant

Buddy up: Get help from friends and family on your road to weight loss. Having a support network helps to keep you on track and provides you with people who will cheer you on.

Write it down: The idea of “Dear Diary, …” doesn’t have to be a thing of the past. Keeping track of your food intake in a diary or journal helps you keep an eye on what – and how much of it – you’re eating each day. One study found people who kept a food diary six days a week lost almost twice as much weight as those who only kept a diary one day a week or less..File
/ GI

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.